Smart Grid News

Smart grid powerhouse prepares for major grid innovation period

SUBNET Solutions Inc | Friday, November 16, 2012

General Electric, which has its hand in a number of projects that have helped spread awareness of the benefits of smart grid technology, recently inaugurated its new smart grid research and development center in Markham, Ontario, Utility Products reports.

According to the media outlet, the 200,000-square-foot center will be a hub for smart grid innovation, and the trials will encourage collaboration between global smart grid research firms. The main focus of the center will be to help utilities create solutions that will improve overall grid efficiency and reliability. The work will also center around how to keep automated substation protected from external threats.

"Markham is a great place for GE to locate this new facility," said Juan Macias, general manager of grid automation at GE. "We are investing in innovation and this new facility demonstrates our commitment to ongoing research and development in substation and distribution automation, as well as electrical grid protection and control."

SUBNET has made great strides in helping utilities install substation automation onto their existing electrical distribution equipment, which can greatly increase operating efficiency.